Sperry out of Somerset area , said they use fracking in the water well drilling process and have for years. Any of you know about this?

I'm not sure it's "typical", but yes, it's true. In PA, we've been fracking gas wells since the 50's. I'm not sure when they started fracking water wells but I do know they do it on occasion. I always figured the reason was to allow more water to flow, just like the gas. But admit that I don't really know.

While Marcellus is indeed deeper, higher pressures, etc., the practice of fracking was never much a concern of mine. Much more concerned about failed casings, blown pipes topside, shoddy disposal practices, unmapped legacy wells, etc. Fracking is merely the practice the "anti's" chose in order to rally the public into a frenzy.